KELOWNA – The new stop signs on a busy downtown Kelowna street were put up Monday to improve safety.
But they seem to be creating more of a safety problem.
Drivers by the dozen are failing to see the signs on Water Street at the intersection of Doyle Avenue and are blowing through the intersection without stopping.
Kelowna’s Traffic Operations Supervisor says the changes were made because nearby Ellis Street will soon close for utility installations related to several, large construction projects in the area.
Fred Wollin says that will shift a lot more traffic onto both Water and Doyle.
“It’s a safety issue. As you can see, the cars line up here and with the pedestrians, it just creates better safety for all motorists.”
There are advance warning signs alerting drivers to the new traffic control measures.
But many motorists are obviously oblivious to the signage and some wonder if more visible notifications are needed.
Wollin believes that won’t be necessary, saying it shouldn’t take too long for drivers to catch on to the new stop signs.
At Wollin’s request, RCMP did enforcement at the intersection Tuesday.
Officers handed out warning notices to drivers who failed to stop, but for now at least, police aren’t issuing any tickets.
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